Wondering about Pasta?

Michellekutz1
Michellekutz1 Posts: 122
in Recipes
I know there are so many types now, whole grain, whole weat, that new veggie kind, has anyone tried them and are they really better for you? We eat alot of pasta in my house, trying to find a healthy alternative for me.

Replies

  • KaltieEm
    KaltieEm Posts: 73 Member
    I'm not sure about the veggie one, but whole wheat or other whole grain basically has less calories and more fiber and protein, so from that perspective it's better for you. Last time I was buying tortillas I just compared the nutritional info from the package. Turned out that whole multi-grain tortilla has more protein and fiber, and less calories than whole wheat tortilla.
  • chankanaab07
    chankanaab07 Posts: 48 Member
    I am a spaghetti fiend and recently switched to whole wheat capellini to "healthify" it. Honestly, it took me trying a few different brands before finding one I liked to replace the regular white pasta (I like Central Market).

    I've heard of people making spaghetti noodles out of squash, making shreds of it with a fork. Has anybody here tried that? I'm interested to know if it's any good.
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    All pasta is veggie pasta...

    All of them are "good for you", as long as IIFYM...
  • iarelarry
    iarelarry Posts: 201 Member
    All pasta is veggie pasta...

    All of them are "good for you", as long as IIFYM...

    WTF-IS-IIFYM.jpg
  • zenalasca
    zenalasca Posts: 563 Member
    Good alternatives are...

    Slim pasta (there are many brands)
    Angel hair pasta (also available as slim)
    Gluten free pasta
    Mung bean noodles! My dad is anti-gluten and uses this in spaghetti bolognese. actually tastes pretty good ^^
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    What is unhealthy about regular old pasta?
  • zenalasca
    zenalasca Posts: 563 Member
    All pasta is veggie pasta...

    All of them are "good for you", as long as IIFYM...

    WTF-IS-IIFYM.jpg

    if it fits your macros
  • shannonerdelyi
    shannonerdelyi Posts: 21 Member
    I am a spaghetti fiend and recently switched to whole wheat capellini to "healthify" it. Honestly, it took me trying a few different brands before finding one I liked to replace the regular white pasta (I like Central Market).

    I've heard of people making spaghetti noodles out of squash, making shreds of it with a fork. Has anybody here tried that? I'm interested to know if it's any good.

    I live for spaghetti squash. I find I can use it in any traditional pasta dish and it's extremely satisfying. It tends to be a bit crunchier than pasta, but I enjoy this texture. You could also supplement a small portion of pasta with spaghetti squash. Bulk up your meal without all those calories!
  • corsayre8
    corsayre8 Posts: 551 Member

    I've heard of people making spaghetti noodles out of squash, making shreds of it with a fork. Has anybody here tried that? I'm interested to know if it's any good.

    It is a specific type of squash, spaghetti squash. You simply bake the squash and scoop it out of it's shell. It is naturally in strands, the fork just breaks them up, and fluffs them a bit.

    Personally I love spaghetti squash, but I don't think it is in anyway resembles pasta. If you are expecting aldente, carb heaven, you will be disappointed. But is you see it as a healthy complement to meat and a means of delivery yummy sauces, you may also enjoy it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I know there are so many types now, whole grain, whole weat, that new veggie kind, has anyone tried them and are they really better for you? We eat alot of pasta in my house, trying to find a healthy alternative for me.

    Look at the nutritional info on the back and then tel me what you think...I'll give you a hint, they're not drastically different. I enjoy my pasta...I'm not gluten intolerant, nor am I an avoider of carbs. Just make it fit your calorie goals and macro goals.
    I've heard of people making spaghetti noodles out of squash, making shreds of it with a fork. Has anybody here tried that? I'm interested to know if it's any good.

    This is a type of squash called spaghetti squash. It is delicious...but tastes nothing like pasta, nor is the texture remotely close. I always chuckle a little when people honestly think it's really going to be just like pasta. Like I said, it's delicious...but most definitely it's own thing. I eat it a lot, but not as a substitute for pasta.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I use brown rice pasta. I try to stay away from any form of wheat as much as possible. The only thing about it is that you can't boil it for more than 5-6 minutes or it will get mushy. Otherwise, I don't notice much of a difference in taste.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    Can you get spelt pasta? I LOVE the stuff. It has about the same macros as whole wheat pasta, but a much nicer texture.
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    I use half whole wheat, half broccoli slaw. It's actually not bad!

    I wanna try spaghetti squash sometime though...mmm.
  • nikkylyn
    nikkylyn Posts: 325 Member
    I tried the veggie one and I did not like it. I have no idea if its better but I love eating veggies Id rather eat a plate of veggies than the pasta kind.

    whole wheat or whole grain is def better carb to eat than the white pasta.

    love love pasta
  • Michellekutz1
    Michellekutz1 Posts: 122
    awesome thanks guys
  • chankanaab07
    chankanaab07 Posts: 48 Member
    Thanks to those replying about the spaghetti squash! I will definitely have to try that. :) I could put tomato sauce on anything, so that might be the first combo I try.
  • bordsilly
    bordsilly Posts: 31 Member
    I agree completly I also Love it but it is in no way like pasta!!!!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    yummy, we eat a lot in this house, always look for healthy ones!
  • Mommy_Time
    Mommy_Time Posts: 256 Member
    I would recommend brown rice pasta or even branching out if you eat a lot of it and getting a spiral cutter and use a zucchini as a sub for pasta at times.
  • EchoDelta1013
    EchoDelta1013 Posts: 93 Member
    Pasta Slim is low-carb made of tofu and takes on the taste of the sauce. It does have a slight sulfur smell out of the package and must be prepped in order to remove it.

    Miracle Noodles are zero carb are made of water & glucomannan (dietary fiber). These have a strong sulfur smell and again, must be prepped in order to remove the smell.

    Then there's spaghetti squash. Bake in the oven or nuke it. Then shred with a fork to resemble pasta.

    I've tried all 3 and spaghetti squash is my favorite :smile:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Just flip the boxes over in the grocery store and see if there's enough of a difference in the varieties to make a switch.

    For me, whole wheat pasta wasn't any enough different from regular in terms of nutrition, and I wasn't crazy about the texture. Some that have extra protein or fiber, like Ronzoni Smart Taste, are good, but I'm broke so I only get them when they're on sale. Spaghetti squash was tasty, but nothing like spaghetti. And the "miracle noodles" were like chewing rubber bands.

    So, personally, I just get regular pasta and make sure I measure out a normal sized portion, then bulk up the rest of the meal with lots of vegetables. I'm still eating an enormous bowl of pasta, but with ~200 calories pasta, with maybe 40 calories of vegetables mixed in, instead of a 400 calorie serving of just pasta. Same volume of food, but lower cal and more nutritious.
  • thefewsteps
    thefewsteps Posts: 201 Member
    Look for the high fiber ones if youre going for pasta. I have ruled pasta out of my diet just because it has very little nutrition. I opt for quinoa now. It's higher in fiber, protein, iron, and a little lower in calories.
  • avababy05
    avababy05 Posts: 930 Member
    I :heart: Spaghetti squash!
  • ilovelucy711
    ilovelucy711 Posts: 381 Member
    Whole grain and whole wheat pasta is the best. Veggie pasta is basically just regular "White" pasta that has been dyed with the veggie juice. Little actual veggie nutrients.
  • Peachy1962
    Peachy1962 Posts: 269 Member
    I like the whole wheat spighetti pasta better than the white kind!! has a nutty flavor and better texture!! more protein and more fiber!! is a good thing! :smile:

    I make a big pot of spighetti and then freeze half or more in freezer zip lock bags lie them down flat get all the air out and they stack in freezer well and ya have a meal in mins in the microwave just cut the bag away from the food and put on a plate and cover to stop it from splattering all over ya microwave!! if your short on time with one good cooking day you can have meals ready on hand in lightening speed during the week!!
  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,839 Member
    I weigh the pasta before I boil it and only make two servings for the two of us. This means less pasta than we were used to so I up the number of veggies. That way we can have a big plate of pasta but it's really mostly vegetables. For the two of us, tonight's rice noodle and chicken dish had 1/4 head of red cabbage, 1/2 a big bag of spinach, an 8 oz -package of mushrooms, and a big bell pepper in it along with all the sauce makings for a Thai-ish dish.

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